Sky News about Ohta Tower in St. Petersburg: Russian Skyscraper Will Ruin Historic City

Russian Skyscraper 'Will Ruin Historic City'

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Row-Breaks-Out-In-Russia-As-Work-Begins-On-Worlds-Tallest-Skyscraper-In-St-Peterburg-Gazprom-Tower/Article/200911415466049?lpos=World_News_Third_Home_Page_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15466049_Row_Breaks_Out_In_Russia_As_Work_Begins_On_Worlds_Tallest_Skyscraper_In_St_Peterburg%2C_Gazprom_Tower

6:37pm UK, Wednesday November 25, 2009
Amanda Walker, Moscow correspondent
A row's broken out in St Petersburg as work has begun on what is set to be Europe's tallest skyscraper.

The Gazprom Tower has sparked violent opposition among those who say it will ruin the city's architecture. Few places in the world take heritage more seriously than St Petersburg. Its architecture is its very essence.
Now looming over the elegant grandeur is a threat that could shatter the baroque vista and steal the city's UNESCO world heritage status. At 102m the golden-domed St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the highest buildings in the city. It would be dwarfed by the tower which would stand four times higher and provide a stark contrast to the city's almost uninterrupted architectural style.
The project's chief architect Filipp Nikandrov says the city cannot be a museum: "Each century left its monument: the Peter and Paul Cathedral was about religion, the TV tower was about mass media. "This is about energy, this is a new symbol of the city. Its all about energy."
Violent scenes erupted at a public hearing where residents voiced their anger at what they say is sheer arrogance. Russia's most powerful state owned company forging ahead with a plan that will benefit nothing but itself.
Director of the Hermitage Gallery Mikhail Piotrovsky told Sky News: "The Gazprom sky scraper is not an idea, it's a big symbol - a symbol of the terrible things that are happening around the world when money dictates the taste of architecture and destroys historical cities."
Critics claim the tower will loom over inhabitants and visitors on every street corner. The architects say this is a misrepresentation and at 5km from the centre the view will be far less prominent.
The construction site sits on an ancient fort. Archaeologists have discovered valuable artefacts but there is little question that this will hamper the project.
In a country where the state still rules, it's unclear whether any opposition or argument, no matter how strong, can actually win through.